(justice of the people), a town in the Roman province of Asia situated in the valley of the Maeander, on a small river called the Lycus, with Colossae and Hierapolis a few miles distant to the west. Built, or rather rebuilt, by one of the Seleucid monarchs, and named in honor of his wife, Laodicea became under the Roman government a place of some importance. Its trade was considerable; it lay on the line of a great road; and it was the seat of a conventus . From the third chapter and seventeenth verse of Revelation we should gather it was a place of great wealth. Christianity was introduced into Laodicea, not, however, as it would seem, through the direct agency of St. Paul. We have good reason for believing that when, in writing from Rome to the Christians of Colossae, he sent a greeting to those of Laodicea, he had not personally visited either place. But the preaching of the gospel at Ephesus, (Acts 18:19; Acts 19:41) must inevitably have resulted in the formation of churches in the neighboring cities, especially where Jews were settled; and there were Jews in Laodicea. In subsequent times it became a Christian city of eminence, the see of bishop and a meeting-place of councils. The Mohammedan invaders destroyed it, and it is now a scene of utter desolation, as was prophesied in (Revelation 3:14-22) and the extensive ruins near Denislu justify all that we read of Laodicea in Greek and Roman writers. Another biblical subject of interest is connected with Laodicea. From (Colossians 4:16) it appears that St. Paul wrote a letter to this place when he wrote the letter to Colossae. Ussher's view is that it was the same as the Epistle to the Ephesians, which was a circular letter sent to Laodicea among other places. The apocryphal Epistola ad Laodicenses is a late and clumsy forgery.

ATS Bible Dictionary

Laodicea

A large and opulent city of Asia Minor, the metropolis of Phrygia Pacatiana. It was situated on the river Lycus, not far above its junction with the Meander, and in the vicinity of Colosse and Hierapolis. Its earlier name was Diopolis; but after being enlarged by Antiochus II, it was called Laodicea, from his wife Lodice. About A. D. 65 or 66, this city, together with Hieropolis and Colosse, was destroyed by an earthquake, but was quickly rebuilt by Marcus Aurelius. It is now in ruins, and the place is called Eskihissar, or the old castle. A Christian church was early gathered here. It was addressed by Paul in his letter to Colosse, and in another now lost, Colossians 2:1 4:13-16, though some think the "Epistle to the Ephesians" is the one alluded to. The church at Laodicea was probably visited by Paul, A. D. 63, and is one of the seven which received special messages from Christ after his ascension, Revelation 1:11 3:14-22. We know little of its after-history, except that an important council was held there near the middle of the fourth century, and that some form of Christianity lingered there until the time of the Turks.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

The city of this name mentioned in Scripture lay on the confines of Phrygia and Lydia, about 40 miles east of Ephesus (Revelation 3:14), on the banks of the Lycus. It was originally called Diospolis and then Rhoas, but afterwards Laodicea, from Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II., king of Syria, who rebuilt it. It was one of the most important and flourishing cities of Asia Minor. At a very early period it became one of the chief seats of Christianity (Colossians 2:1; 4:15; Revelation 1:11, etc.). It is now a deserted place, called by the Turks Eski-hissar or "old castle."

Laodicea, Epistle from

(Colossians 4:16), was probably the Epistle to the Ephesians, as designed for general circulation. It would reach the Colossians by way of Laodicea.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

LAODICEA

la-od-i-se'-a (Laodikia): A city of Asia Minor situated in the Lycos valley in the province of Phrygia, and the home of one of the Seven Churches of Re (1:11). Distinguished from several other cities of that name by the appellation Ad Lycum, it was founded by Antiochus II (261-246 B.C.) of Syria, who named it for his wife Laodike, and who populated it with Syrians and with Jews who were transplanted from Babylonia to the cities of Phrygia and Lydia. Though Laodicea stood on the great highway at the junction of several important routes, it was a place of little consequence until the Roman province of Asia was formed in 190 B.C. It then suddenly became a great and wealthy center of industry, famous specially for the fine black wool of its sheep and for the Phrygian powder for the eyes, which was manufactured there (compare Revelation 3:18). In the vicinity was the temple of Men Karou and a renowned school of medicine. In the year 60 A.D., the city was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake, but so wealthy were its citizens that they rejected the proffered aid of Rome, and quickly rebuilt it at their own expense (compare Revelation 3:17). It was a city of great wealth, with extensive banking operations (compare Revelation 3:18). Little is known of the early history of Christianity there; Timothy, Mark and Epaphras (Colossians 1:7) seem to have been the first to introduce it. However, Laodicea was early the chief bishopric of Phrygia, and about 166 A.D. Sagaris, its bishop, was martyred. In 1071 the city was taken by the Seljuks; in 1119 it was recovered to the Christians by John Comnenus, and in the 13th century it fell finally into the hands of the Turks.

The ruins, now called Eski Hissar, or old castle, lie near the modern Gonjelli on the railroad, and they have long served as a quarry to the builders of the neighboring town of Denizli. Among them nothing from before the Roman period has appeared. One of the two Roman theaters is remarkably well preserved, and there may still be seen the stadium, a colonnade, the aqueduct which brought the water across the valley to the city by an inverted siphon of stone pipes, a large necropolis, and the ruins of three early Christian churches.

E. J. Banks

Greek

2993. Laodikeia -- Laodicea, a city in Phrygia...Laodicea, a city in Phrygia. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Laodikeia Phonetic Spelling: (lah-od-ik'-i-ah) Short Definition: Laodicea Definition ...//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2993.htm - 6k

2857. Kolossai -- Colossae, a city in Phrygia... Spelling: (kol-os-sah'-ee) Short Definition: Colossae Definition: Colossae, a town of the Roman province Asia, in the Lycus valley, near Laodicea and Hierapolis ...//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2857.htm - 6k

2404. Hierapolis -- Hierapolis, a city in Asia... Phonetic Spelling: (hee-er-ap'-ol-is) Short Definition: Hierapolis Definition: Hierapolis, a city of the Lycus valley in Phrygia, near Laodicea and Colossae. ...//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2404.htm - 6k

Library

Laodicea...LAODICEA. We reach, in this last Epistle, the lowest point of Judah's degradation, in that long line of departure from God, from ...//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/laodicea.htm

Synod of Laodicea.... The Canons of the Blessed and Holy Fathers Assembled at Antioch in Syria. Synod of Laodicea. ad343-381. Elenchus. Historical Introduction. .../.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/synod of laodicea.htm

Journey to Laodicea.... Homily XIII. Chapter I."Journey to Laodicea. ... And on the following day we went to Paltus, and from that to Gabala; and on the next day we reached Laodicea. .../.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter i journey to laodicea.htm

Historical Introduction.... The Laodicea at which the Synod met is Laodicea in Phrygia Pacatiana, also calledLaodicea ad Lycum, and to be carefully distinguished from the Laodicea in .../.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/historical introduction 4.htm

Colossians iv. 12, 13... God. For I bear him witness, that he hath much zeal [901] for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.". In the .../.../homily xii colossians iv 12.htm

Thesaurus

Laodicea (6 Occurrences)... It was originally called Diospolis and then Rhoas, but afterwards Laodicea, from Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II., king of Syria, who rebuilt it. ...LAODICEA. .../l/laodicea.htm - 11k

Nymphas (1 Occurrence)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Nymph, saluted by Paul in his Epistle to the Colossians as a member of the church of Laodicea (Colossians 4:15). Int. .../n/nymphas.htm - 9k

La-odice'a (5 Occurrences)La-odice'a. Laodicea, La-odice'a. Laodiceans . ... Colossians 4:15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house. .../l/la-odice'a.htm - 7k

Laodiceans (2 Occurrences)... the epistle from Laodicea," Colossians 4:16): I. EXPLANATIONS OF PAUL'S STATEMENT 1. Written by the Laodiceans? 2. Written by Paul from Laodicea? .../l/laodiceans.htm - 28k

Colossae (1 Occurrence)... It was about 12 miles above Laodicea, and near the great road from Ephesus to the Euphrates, and was consequently of some mercantile importance. .../c/colossae.htm - 9k

Colossians (1 Occurrence)... of the apostle (4:7-9). After friendly greetings (10-14), he bids them interchange this letter with that he had sent to the neighbouring church of Laodicea. .../c/colossians.htm - 23k

Tychicus (5 Occurrences)... the circular letter" (see LAODICEANS, EPISTLE TO THE) to the churches in proconsular Asia, to which it was sent, giving a copy of it to the church in Laodicea. .../t/tychicus.htm - 14k

Public (99 Occurrences)... Colossians 4:16 And when this letter has been made public among you, let the same be done in the church of Laodicea; and see that you have the letter from .../p/public.htm - 37k

Paul (207 Occurrences)... 1:4. But this objection need not apply if the so-called Ephesian Epistle was a circular letter and if Paul did not visit Colosse and Laodicea during his 3 .../p/paul.htm - 101k

Concordance

Laodicea (6 Occurrences)

Colossians 2:1For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Colossians 4:13For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Colossians 4:15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Colossians 4:16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Revelation 1:11saying, " What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies : to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Revelation 3:14"To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: "The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God's creation, says these things:(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)